KISS offers former Patriot Tim Tebow three-year deal in Arena league

Quarterback Tim Tebow talks to the media as the New England Patriots open their training camp in Foxboro, Massachusetts, in this July 26, 2013, file photo.

By The Sports Xchange, Special to the BDN

Posted Sept. 09, 2013, at 7:14 p.m.

The Los Angeles KISS, a new Arena Football League team co-owned by the legendary rock band, offered quarterback Tim Tebow a three-year contract, the team announced Monday.

Tebow, a former Heisman Trophy winner, was cut by the New England Patriots Aug. 31.

Tebow is the first player co-owners Brett Bouchy, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Doc McGhee have approached. The team begins its inaugural Arena League season in March 2014. It will play its home games at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

“Tim Tebow is one of the most recognized and respected athletes in sport,” Stanley said in a press release. “His joining us would mean great things for his fans and for our team, especially from a business standpoint. His credibility within the sports arena is paramount and with our commitment to bringing football without compromise back to LA, we’re excited to see how this offer turns out.”

If Tebow accepts, the contract pends approval from the league’s board of directors and players’ union.

“Acquiring Tebow would not only be a great investment for the team, but his exciting style of play would definitely send shockwaves through the league,” Simmons said in a press release. “We’re excited for the opportunity to see him with an LA KISS uniform on, and for the LA KISS fans to be rockin’ their Tebow shirts and jerseys.”

After starring at Florida, Tebow has completed 47.9 percent of his passes in the NFL, thrown for 2,422 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions and rushed for 989 yards with 12 TDs. He went 7-4 as a starter for the Denver Broncos in the 2011 regular season and helped get them to the playoffs. He spent last season with the New York Jets, where he completed six of eight passes for 39 yards.

“Similar to how Kurt Warner blossomed in the NFL after becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks in AFL history, we feel our league is the best place for Tim to refine his skills and gain valuable repetitions,” Bouchy said in a press release. “We have tremendous faith in Tim’s ability to succeed in the AFL.”

Tebow reportedly turned down an NFL team interested in him because he refuses to switch to another position. He has also rejected offers from the Canadian Football League and USA Rugby because he only wants to play in the NFL as a quarterback.